Those who have been following my website and blog may have noticed the domain change to travelyourgenealogy.com, which better reflects the mission statement of my business and this website. Since 2008, genealogy has led me on an amazing adventure and connected me with people from all walks of life. Some of us have had the opportunity to visit and tour the landmarks that have touched our family history, but even the records bring us back in time and serve as a unique voice for historical truth. When you visit my website and blog, you will not only be able to learn about my genealogy journey, but start or continue your own. My blog posts are designed to give readers research tips and my “Research Toolbox” page holds a lot of guides, useful links, and templates. My professional services are here to help you with journey of self-discovery.

My great-grandmother Adelaide Oliver O’Neill and two unidentified women at St. Patrick’s Burial Place in Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland. Image Source: Author’s Collection.

May has been a great month! I couldn’t be happier with the career path I have chosen. I’ve even had time to make some breakthroughs on my father’s family, the Fleischhauers, and some new source discoveries. I had a fun time attending my first Geneablogger Bash, basically a relaxing cookout where I got to me other amazing genealogy bloggers. ProGen 30 begins in June and am looking forward to taking the next step in my genealogy journey. I think this will be an exciting and fulfilling summer.

I am also on Twitter (@travelgenealogy) so follow me there too as I tweet a lot of genealogy links and breaking news.

Record Spotlight – Civil War Draft Registrations (Are You Getting All The Records?)

Finding out that your ancestor was drafted during the Civil War connects your family to an important moment in American history. In 1863, the United State Government mandated the first act ever in it’s to history that would require compulsory service in the military. The draft act of 1863 was very controversial and resulted in many riots around the country, including the infamous riot that occurred in New York City.

Civil War draft registration records for the Union Army are collected in NARA Record Group 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War). While Ancestry.com does have a collection of indexed draft registrations, these are merely the consolidated lists and encompass only part of the records. NARA still has not digitized what are known as the draft medical examinations, where each draftee received a physical examination. These lists will include some interesting medical history and will indicate if any physical deformities or ailments made them unfit for service. All draft registries are organized by the State and thereunder Congressional District. If you’d like to request a look up of these records, e-mail the appropriate branch of the National Archives and indicate the town or city in which they were drafted.